Parachilna

• Summary
• Weather for Parachilna

In the remote plains of the Flinders Ranges, the outback town of Parachilna sits on the railway line between Port Augusta and Leigh Creek.

In 1863 Parachilna was surveyed by Arthur B Cooper and was expected to remain a small town, due to its closeness to a government water well, to make transport in the Northern Flinders possible.

Also known as Patajilnda, in Aboriginal, meaning place of peppermint gum trees, the town is situated in the foothills of Parachilna Gorge and now has a population of just 7 people with a hotel, railway station, airstrip and a few buildings.

The landscape varies from vast plains to creek and rugged mountain views, which glow red in the morning sun, lead through Parachilna Gorge to Blinman mining settlement. The area can be explored by local 4WD tours and scenic flights from Wilpena Pound over Brachina Gorge and the Flinders Ranges. On the way to the bottom of the gorge, pass through Angorichina tourist village, full of wild flowers, native fauna, the ideal area for cycling and walking expeditions.

First licensed in 1876, The Prairie Hotel opposite the railway line is the towns main building, full of charm and character with Aboriginal artwork and Ediacaran fossils relics. The hotel serves a menu of Australian native foods including kangaroo, camel and emu; the popular Feral mixed grill giving visitors a taste of the outback. Apart from the hotel itself, there are extra facilities available across the road, varying from self-contained cabins to camping areas.

In the evening the passing of the coal train returning from Leigh Creek to the north is a highlight; with approx 180 trucks it takes about 5 minutes to pass.